Best kept secret for runners in Istanbul. Validebağ Grove in Üsküdar is a 4km loop trail through what's basically the city's last surviving natural forest. Dirt paths, actual trees, and you'll forget you're in a city of 15 million people.

Take metro to Üsküdar then bus 15 to Validebağ stop. Open early morning until evening, though hours may vary. The trail has some hills so good for interval training. Barely any tourists know about this place - mostly just local joggers and dog walkers.

Morning runs here beat any hotel treadmill. Trail surface is packed dirt, decent for regular running shoes but trail runners are better after rain.